What are the membership levels?

Individuals can be members of Folk Alliance International using the following membership types:

Individual - $70/year - This membership covers an individual, who is part of the folk music industry. This membership is not for companies, festivals, groups, bands, or organizations.

Lifetime - $1000 (one time charge) - No yearly dues, this plan is the same as an individual membership. You will be listed in all listings of membership as a "lifetime" member.

Partner - $100/year - This membership covers two (2) life, business, or performing partners. This is coverage for two (2) associated individuals. This membership is not for companies, festivals, groups, bands, or organizations.

Organizations/Bands can also be members of FAI using the following group membership types:

Small - $150/year - This group membership can have from 1 to 5 contacts authorized for FAI benefits and discounts. It covers bands up to 5 members. It covers organizations, festivals, and agencies with an annual budget less than $50k. This is also the membership type for non-profits.

Medium - $250/year - This group membership can have from 1 to 9 contacts authorized for FAI benefits and discounts. It covers bands up to 9 members. It covers organizations, festivals, and agencies with an annual budget of $50k to $300k.

Large - $500/year - This group membership can have from 1 to 20 contacts authorized for FAI benefits and discounts. It covers bands up to 20 members. It covers organizations, festivals, and agencies with an annual budget over $300k.

How do I become a member of Folk Alliance International?

Click on "Membership" at the top of the home page. Read about our different membership options, then pick the one that applies to you and complete the online instructions ending with payment. Dues must be paid before a membership can be active.

How do I know whether I need to renew my membership?

Log into the website and look at your membership card under "Membership Info". It will have the expiration/term date listed.

How do I find my Membership ID#?

When you are logged into your membership, under Manage Profile or Membership Info, view your membership card. It has your member ID#, Membership type and Expiration date. Print it and keep it hand or just come back to the website anytime you need it.

How long is a membership good for?

A basic new/renewing membership is good for the following 364 days! You may join at any time!

What's the difference between voting and non-voting memberships?

Non-voting membership is for non-industry professionals, non-artist members – mostly active fans, retired, students or enthusiasts. Non-voting memberships are for those who don't participate in the music industry but still support the goals of Folk Alliance International. Non-voting memberships still have all the same benefits as voting memberships with exceptions to the right to vote and any benefit that applies only to those that work in the folk music industry.

Those who participate in the music industry as a professional or artist should purchase a voting membership.

How does voting work?

Voting memberships all have a "primary contact". This is the person who purchased the membership. The primary contact for each voting membership will receive the ballot via email. Each membership only receives one (1) ballot, but the ballots are weighted by membership type as follows.
1 vote - Individual & Lifetime
2 votes - Partner
3 votes - Small Organization
5 votes - Medium Organization
10 votes - Large Organization

Sub accounts of a group membership do not receive a ballot, please collaborate as a group prior to casting the ballot.

Ballots are sent out annually for all Board Elections, Referendums, and Member Voted Awards.

What's a partner membership?

This is a membership for two (2) associated individuals. They may be life, business, or performing partners. This membership is not applicable for business, companies or organizations.

How do I know what size organization I am for an organizational membership?

For a business or organization, size is determined by income. If your organization’s income is 50K or less, you are a small organization; 50-300K, you are a medium organization; more than 300K, you are a large organization.

Most bands will apply for a small organization membership.

Agencies with multiple artists must purchase a medium or large organization membership in order to cover all of their artists.

How do I add my partner/ band mates to my membership?

All additional members on your membership are added AFTER the primary account holder purchases the membership. Once logged in, under "Mange Profile" click "Sub Accounts". From this page you have two options for adding additional members. 1) Invite them via email to fill out their own profile. 2) Create their profiles yourself, as the primary. *note* - you will be logged out of your profile to do this, and signed in as the member you're creating.

I recently bought one type of membership, but I would like to change it. Is this allowed?

We allow membership changes for 60 days after purchase. However, you may only pay the difference for larger memberships. We do not refund membership purchases. Please contact the office if you need to change your membership at (816) 221-FOLK (3655) or membership@folk.org.

Who should I contact about becoming a 501c3 Group Exemption member?

Please contact our Membership Manager at membership@folk.org. He will be happy to help you with this process.